(SOLD) This is a 1947 Blue Diamond Parker 51 Vacumatic in Cordovan Brown with a stainless steel cap, a gold-filled clip, and a 14k gold XXF nib. This is a rare, "last year" Parker 51 Vacumatic. The pen has been restored, which included a complete disassembly, a gentle cleaning, an overhaul of the filling mechanism, ink flow adjustment, a nib tune-up, and a gentle polish with a soft cloth (by hand).

Parker 51 Vacumatic Fountain Pen in Cordovan Brown, XXF, uncapped

This is a beautiful, rare, "last year" Parker 51 Vacumatic, made in 1947, as the Janesville company began its transition away from the Blue Diamond lifetime warranty and toward the Aerometric filling mechanism. The gorgeous Cordovan Brown makes it a particularly desirable model, not to mention, the XXF nib. Here's your chance to own this timeless classic, in excellent condition, functioning as good as new.

Parker 51 Vacumatic Fountain Pen in Cordovan Brown, XXF, nib profile

The Parker 51 is a pen that epitomizes the American pen industry of the 1940s perfectly. In my opinion, all four of the major U.S. brands, Parker, Sheaffer, Wahl-Eversharp, and Waterman, were at the peak of their technological capabilities, bringing their customers exceptional writing instrument during a very difficult time in history. Parker was a mighty brand, with a worldwide reach, its name, in many countries, synonymous with the fountain pen. A superb tool for the discerning writer, even today, a restored Parker 51 is unique in its dependable performance, day in, day out. If you've never tried a 51 or have had a mediocre experience with one of uncertain provenance, I encourage you to give it another chance. A well restored 51 is likely to become one of your favorite daily writers.

This particular 51 has a phenomenal XXF nib. The nib lays down a confident line of about 0.2 mm on my paper, which puts it easily in the needlepoint vicinity, yet it does not have any of the typical "toothiness" and paper catching of conventional, modern needlepoints. The nib is smooth, with an excellent ability to absorb vibrations, and an ability to write equally well in virtually all directions. That makes it an excellent pen for cursive handwriting. Your strokes will feel effortless and dependable. You will not experience any hard-starts, ink starvation, or flow irregularities that plague modern needlepoint nibs.

Cosmetically, the pen is simply outstanding, without any flaws or defects. A beautiful, vibrant color, along with a flawless cap and gold-filled trim, this is one handsome pen, yet without being gaudy. A rare pen that is as beautiful as it is functional. The Vacumatic filling mechanism is easy to use, reliable, and holds up to 1.8 ml of ink.